The Official Azzurri thread

[Messinese Interista]

after seeing this away shirt I have to say I prefer the home one, but only ever so slightly

[San Paolo]

Italy boss Marcello Lippi is still unsure as to which strikers to take to the World Cup with only two names absolutely certain, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Lippi has five or six places available up front, having already decided upon taking Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino and Juventus's Vincenzo Iaquinta, even though the latter has been out for much of the season following knee surgery.

In terms of out-and-out centre-forwards, Lippi is looking to choose one or two of Luca Toni, Giampaolo Pazzini and Marco Borriello.

The latter had the highest average rating of all players in Serie A at the half-way point of the season according to La Gazzetta's rankings, but he is relatively unproven at international level.

Toni's return to Italy with Roma has been stunted by injury while Pazzini has suffered a slight dip in form after an exceptional start to the campaign.

As for second strikers, Lippi will again choose one or two of Amauri, Mario Balotelli, Raffaele Palladino, Fabio Quagliarella, Giuseppe Rossi and Francesco Totti.

He had hoped to count on Amauri, the Brazilian target man, who applied for Italian citizenship, but his form has been woeful over the last year and he hasn't scored since October.

La Gazzetta understands Lippi would prefer to have Totti, but it's as yet unclear whether the Roma talisman would be true to his word and come out of international retirement.

[RomaShield27]

Lippi: 'Squad 70 per cent decided'
http://www.football-italia.net/feb03t.html – Wednesday 3 February, 2010

Marcello Lippi trusts Alberto Zaccheroni “can do well at Juventusâ€

[Messinese Interista]

Lippi hopes for Capello clash

Marcello Lippi says he'd love a World Cup Final against Fabio Capello's England, but won't bring back Ciro Ferrara or gloat over Antonio Cassano.

“Before a tournament Brazil are always touted as the favourites,â€

[Messinese Interista]

Euro 2012: Italy pick Serbia

Italy have drawn Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands for their Euro 2012 qualifying group.

The Azzurri were among the top seeds in today’s Warsaw ceremony along with Spain, Germany, Holland, England, Croatia, Portugal, France and Russia.

In all 51 teams do battle to reach the tournament, where hosts Poland and Ukraine are already secured a place.

Qualifying kicks off in September 2010 and runs to October 2011, followed by play-offs for the runners-up in November 2011.

Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan

Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra

Group C: ITALY, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands

Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg

Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino

Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta

Group G: England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro

Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland

Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Lichtenstein

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/feb07h.html

[juventino_italiano]

Borriello aims for World Cup Tuesday 9 February, 2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milan striker Marco Borriello insists he is pumped up after recent praise from Italy boss Marcello Lippi ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Lippi gave Borriello's chances of being in South Africa a massive boost when he announced that there would be no space for the oriundi in his squad.

That effectively rules out Juventus striker Amauri, meaning there is one extra space in the Azzurri's squad for an out and out centre-forward.

“Lippi's statement is an extra motive to believe in ourselves, not just for me, but also the others who are in competition for the place. It's a wonderful boost.â€

[RomaShield27]

What do you ladies think of Italy's group for the Euro qualifiers? Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands should be easy enough (although Windsor Park can be a difficult place to go to and those Northies always raise their game when a big team visits), but Serbia and Slovenia could cause a bit of trouble. Slovenia shouldn't be overlooked having beaten Russia in their World Cup qualifying play-off.

[juventino_italiano]

What do you ladies think of Italy's group for the Euro qualifiers? Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands should be easy enough (although Windsor Park can be a difficult place to go to and those Northies always raise their game when a big team visits), but Serbia and Slovenia could cause a bit of trouble. Slovenia shouldn't be overlooked having beaten Russia in their World Cup qualifying play-off.

I was going to let the ladies answer first, seeing as "ladies first"...
but they're taking too long probably putting on their make up....

So in that case, all i'll say is i'll wait to see who the new coach is.

Serbia is definitely the threat.
Northern Ireland doesnt worry me much although they seem to be putting up some good fights lately.
Slovenia will be tough too....but Italy should be able to handle them

[Messinese Interista]

You don't think Lippi will be our coach for the euros?

[RomaShield27]

Hopefully not, MI.

ANCELOTTI NOT READY FOR AZZURRI JOB
www.sportinglife.com

Carlo Ancelotti says he's not ready to boss Italy yet despite reports linking him with the job. Former AC Milan coach Ancelotti is enjoying his first season at Chelsea and has no intention of leaving the club, despite reports linking him with the Azzurri job once Marcello Lippi steps down.

"I will not be there once Lippi leaves," he said. "I have a contract with Chelsea. I will be a candidate in 2030 when Italy will win the World Cup.

"I have studied the stats and after the second World War, we have won the World Cup title every 24 years and reached the final every 12 years. "Hence, the 2018 final I leave it to someone else.

"Besides, before I leave Chelsea I would like to win the FA Cup, the Premier League and obviously, the Champions League. I am in no hurry. There is a lot of competition here."

[juventino_italiano]

Lippi missed his chance to win the euros in 2008.
Had he stayed on as coach...he would have won it.

I see Ancelotti (despite what he said) or Prandelli taking on the job. Lippi could remain.
I wouldnt count out Capello either if England crashes out, or if they win and he wants a new challenge

[Messinese Interista]

If things dont work out in Russia, perhaps Spaletti?

[p_maldini_3]

Nesta admits World Cup plan
Saturday 13 February, 2010
Alessandro Nesta admits he could reconsider international retirement for the World Cup. “I spoke with Marcello Lippi. We’ll see.â€

[Messinese Interista]

lol, they are both considering coming back. Really interesting. If Nesta does come back, he'd be partnering Canna, shame. It'd be great to see Nesta and Chiellini in the centre of defence.

[juventino_italiano]

lol, they are both considering coming back. Really interesting. If Nesta does come back, he'd be partnering Canna, shame. It'd be great to see Nesta and Chiellini in the centre of defence.

Yes...It should be Nesta-Chiellini

maybe Canna will get injured in the first game forcing Lippi to put Chiellini in (a la Materazzi 2006)
and History will repeat itself

[Messinese Interista]

we can only hope j_i.

[Messinese Interista]

World Cup 2010: Italy Coach Marcello Lippi In Milan Link?

Reports in Italy claim Lippi will replace Leonardo for next season if he fails to win the Champions League...

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has been tipped to join Milan after the World Cup, according to speculative reports.

Tuttomercatoweb.com claims the 'Studio Sport' news programme on Wednesday suggested Lippi was heading to Milan after the summer tournament in South Africa.

The report comes on the day club president Silvio Berlusconi fired a warning shot at coach Leonardo.

Berlusconi claimed the team has the potential to win everything, but only if those in charge of it allow the players to flourish.

Milan's loss to Manchester United in the Champions League has caused concern, fuelling speculation that Leonardo's future is in doubt.

Lippi is expected to leave la Nazionale following Italy's participation at the World Cup.

Last month both he and FIGC president Giancarlo Abete claimed his future as coach of Italy would be decided before this summer's showpiece event.

Source: http://goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup- ... milan-link

[San Paolo]

went in the Puma store today an saw the new Home shirt, i must say it is not as horrific as the picture i posted looks, also on the back of the neck it has in gold stiching Gli Azzurri.

[Carlo Romano]

Food for thought on the strikers bit...

Di Natale still leads the group of Serie A's top scorers yet Udinese continue to struggle. I wonder if Lippi still considers him part of the squad or is now waiting to see if his team's poor form will affect his game too.

[Messinese Interista]

I was thinking that too Carlo. Despite how Udinese perform, his form alone warrants him a Azzurri spot.